Is it a four-post bed or four-poster bed?

References show that in the 14th and 15th centuries, “four-post” was the correct terminology. However, today it is considered correct to say “four-poster”. You can find a range of vintage and antique four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is the point of a four-poster bed?

Today, the point of a four-poster bed is largely stylistic. People place them in bedrooms due to their elegant decorative appearance. Historically, four-poster beds featured heavy curtains that blocked light, preserved privacy and provided warmth in the winter. You'll find a selection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.

What is a tester on a four poster bed?

The tester on a four poster bed is the canopy over the bed. It was usually made of wood and could be covered with cloth. It provided privacy and helped enclose the bed, making it easier to heat the bed area. On 1stDibs, find an array of vintage and contemporary four-poster beds.

What is the difference between a canopy bed and a four poster bed?

A four poster bed features four posts, one at each corner. A canopy bed also has four posts, one at each corner, but a canopy bed is covered with a cloth of some sort. They can look similar except for the canopy on top. However, canopy posts are often built differently than four poster beds so they can accommodate the fabric. Shop a collection of four poster and canopy beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is the top of a four-poster bed called?

Across the top of older four-poster beds was a wooden rail that was called the tester. The tester often held a rail where curtains were attached that could be pulled closed. Shop a collection of four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

How do I make a four-poster bed modern?

You can make a four-poster bed modern in a number of ways. Try refinishing it with matte spray paint or covering the headboard with fabric or wallpaper. You can also hang fabric in contemporary prints from the frame as a canopy. You'll find a collection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.

1950s Four Poster Bed

Recent Sales

Jean Royère Style Oak Four Poster Bed, France 1950's

Sold

H 55 in W 62 in D 83 in

Jean Royère Style Oak Four Poster Bed, France 1950's

By Jean Royère

Located in New York, NY

Oak bed in the manner of Jean Royere with undulation design on the headboards and posts that end in

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

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1950s Four Poster Bed For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate 1950s four poster bed for your needs in our varied inventory. Finding the perfect 1950s four poster bed may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 20th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 20th Century. Adding a 1950s four poster bed to a room that is mostly decorated in warm neutral tones can yield a welcome change — find a piece on 1stDibs that incorporates elements of gray, white, beige, yellow and more. There have been many interesting 1950s four poster bed examples over the years, but those made by (after) Henri Matisse and Henri Matisse are often thought to be among the most thought-provoking. Artworks like these of any era or style can make for thoughtful decor in any space, but a selection from our variety of those made in lithograph and linocut can add an especially memorable touch.

How Much is a 1950s Four Poster Bed?

The average selling price for a 1950s four poster bed we offer is $1,640, while they’re typically $192 on the low end and $18,500 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Beds-frames for You

We find relaxation and solace in our bedrooms, which are often the most cherished rooms of a home. Your antique, new or vintage bed and bed frame are integral to this oasis of personal comfort.

Beds and bed frames have long been an important part of the sanctuary that is the bedroom. For the upper class in countries such as England, the massive, costly beds of the 16th and 17th centuries were decorative and of the poster variety. Some were characterized by large painted wooden headboards, often made of oak, that featured ornate carvings and richly colored curtains affixed to each of the two or four posts — think of today’s sumptuous upholstered headboards as a distant cousin to these luxurious furnishings. The heavy fabric curtains were drawn across a fringed canopy to close out the sunlight that might’ve warmed your grandiose and opulent bedchambers. This feature could also offer privacy as desired, because, as we all know, a bedroom is for more than just sleeping.

Coiled springs didn’t make their way into mattresses until the 1800s, which likely made for a far more comfortable night’s sleep for many. Bed frames of cast iron and brass were introduced during the mid- to late-19th century. Later, the 20th century brought with it marvelous innovations for slumberland, among them daybeds from the likes of George Nelson and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich as well as convertible sofa beds.

Today, you will find a range of beds geared toward your individual personality and preferred style of decor. When shopping for a bed and bed frame, keep in mind that you’ve got options. Sizes range from twin to California king. At 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, a king-size bed is roughly 16 inches wider than a queen-size mattress, and your bed frame will likely add two to five inches to each side. (The California king bed is 84 inches long.)

From dramatic bedroom designs to uncomplicated, minimalist approaches, the bedroom has evolved into the haven that it should be: a peaceful place of respite, where we begin and end every day. Take the time to create your very own oasis — you deserve it. Rest easy with an expansive collection of antique, new and vintage beds and bed frames available on 1stDibs.

Questions About 1950s Four Poster Bed

Is it a four-post bed or four-poster bed?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
References show that in the 14th and 15th centuries, “four-post” was the correct terminology. However, today it is considered correct to say “four-poster”. You can find a range of vintage and antique four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is the point of a four-poster bed?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Today, the point of a four-poster bed is largely stylistic. People place them in bedrooms due to their elegant decorative appearance. Historically, four-poster beds featured heavy curtains that blocked light, preserved privacy and provided warmth in the winter. You'll find a selection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.
What is a tester on a four poster bed?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The tester on a four poster bed is the canopy over the bed. It was usually made of wood and could be covered with cloth. It provided privacy and helped enclose the bed, making it easier to heat the bed area. On 1stDibs, find an array of vintage and contemporary four-poster beds.
What is the difference between a canopy bed and a four poster bed?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A four poster bed features four posts, one at each corner. A canopy bed also has four posts, one at each corner, but a canopy bed is covered with a cloth of some sort. They can look similar except for the canopy on top. However, canopy posts are often built differently than four poster beds so they can accommodate the fabric. Shop a collection of four poster and canopy beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is the top of a four-poster bed called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Across the top of older four-poster beds was a wooden rail that was called the tester. The tester often held a rail where curtains were attached that could be pulled closed. Shop a collection of four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
How do I make a four-poster bed modern?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
You can make a four-poster bed modern in a number of ways. Try refinishing it with matte spray paint or covering the headboard with fabric or wallpaper. You can also hang fabric in contemporary prints from the frame as a canopy. You'll find a collection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.